Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology requires a minimum of 120 hours of coursework, including the SHSU Core Requirements (42 hours), Degree Specific Requirements (12 hours – 8 hours of Natural Sciences, 3 hours of Math, and 1 hour of NGLI), Sociology Core, Applied Core, and Electives (36 hours), a minor (18 hours), and 12 additional hours of general and/or advanced electives. The coursework should be distributed as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) 1 | 3 | |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Natural Sciences 2 | 8 | |
| Math 2 | 3 | |
| NGLI 1101 | Research in the Digital Age 3 | 1 |
| Major: Foundational | ||
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or SOCI 2319 | Introduction To Ethnic Studies | |
| SOCI 2399 | Writing in Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 3324 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SOCI 3370 | Research Methods in Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 4344 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Major: Required | 6 | |
| Select two of the following | ||
| Social Statistics | ||
| Qualitative Methods | ||
| Demographic Techniques | ||
| Social Program Evaluation | ||
| Community Planning and Development | ||
| Internship In Applied Sociolgy | ||
| Major: Prescribed Electives | 15 | |
| SOCI Electives | ||
| Select five of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Community Leadership | ||
| Gender And Inequality | ||
| Sociology of Popular Culture | ||
| Food and Society | ||
| Marriage And The Family | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Sociology of the Life Course | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Inequality | ||
| Sociology Of Health & Illness | ||
| Rural And Urban Sociology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Sociology of Latin America | ||
| Economy And Society | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Gulf Field Studies | ||
| Sociology of Immigration | ||
| Sociology Of Disaster | ||
| Environment And Society | ||
| Development & Sustainability | ||
| Electives: Advanced | ||
| Advanced Electives | 12 | |
| Minor: Required 4 | ||
| Minor | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
- 2
In addition to the core.
- 3
If a student takes NGLI 1101 to satisfy Component Area IX and Degree Specific Requirements, additional elective credit will be needed.
- 4
All minors can be paired with this degree program.
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302, MATH 1332 or MATH 1314, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course.
If SOCI 1301 is used to partially satisfy Component Area VIII, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours.
If SOCI 2319 is used to partially satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture), elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours.
A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area II | 3 | Component Area III | 4 |
| ENGL 13011 | 3 | Component Area V | 3 |
| HSTY 13012 | 3 | ENGL 13021 | 3 |
| POLS 23053 | 3 | HSTY 13022 | 3 |
| SOCI 1301 or 2319 | 3 | POLS 23063 | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area III | 4 | Minor5 | 3 |
| MATH 4 | 3 | Minor5 | 3 |
| Minor5 | 3 | Natural Sciences 4 | 4 |
| SOCI 3324 | 3 | SOCI 2399 | 3 |
| SOCI Electives6 | 3 | SOCI Electives6 | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Component Area IX | 1 | Component Area IX | 3 |
| Minor5 | 3 | Advanced Electives | 3 |
| Natural Sciences4 | 4 | Major: Required8 | 3 |
| NGLI 11017 | 1 | Minor5 | 3 |
| SOCI 3370 | 3 | SOCI Electives6 | 3 |
| SOCI Electives6 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Advanced Electives | 3 | Advanced Electives | 3 |
| Advanced Electives | 3 | Advanced Electives | 3 |
| Advanced Electives | 3 | SOCI 4344 | 3 |
| Major: Required8 | 3 | SOCI Electives6 | 3 |
| Minor5 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
Satisfies requirement for Component Area I (Communication).
- 2
Satisfies requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).
- 3
Satisfies the requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).
- 4
In addition to the core.
- 5
All minors can be paired with this degree program.
- 6
Select from Major: Prescribed Electives (SOCI Electives) listed below.
- 7
If a student takes NGLI 1101 to satisfy Component Area IX and Degree Specific Requirements, additional elective credit will be needed.
- 8
Select from the Major: Required courses listed below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major: Prescribed Electives 6 | ||
| SOCI Electives 6 | ||
| SOCI 3305 | Introduction to Community Leadership | 3 |
| SOCI 3325 | Gender And Inequality | 3 |
| SOCI 3327 | Sociology of Popular Culture | 3 |
| SOCI 3335 | Food and Society | 3 |
| SOCI 3341 | Marriage And The Family | 3 |
| SOCI 3344 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
| SOCI 3354 | Sociology of the Life Course | 3 |
| SOCI 3355 | Racial and Ethnic Inequality | 3 |
| SOCI 3365 | Sociology Of Health & Illness | 3 |
| SOCI 3376 | Rural And Urban Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 3381 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SOCI 3383 | Sociology of Latin America | 3 |
| SOCI 3384 | Economy And Society | 3 |
| SOCI 3392 | Social Movements | 3 |
| SOCI 4330 | Sociology of Immigration | 3 |
| SOCI 4334 | Sociology Of Disaster | 3 |
| SOCI 4337 | Environment And Society | 3 |
| SOCI 4339 | Development & Sustainability | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major: Required 8 | ||
| SOCI 3345 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOCI 3371 | Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 3372 | Demographic Techniques | 3 |
| SOCI 3373 | Social Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SOCI 3377 | Community Planning and Development | 3 |
| SOCI 4379 | Internship In Applied Sociolgy | 3 |
Notes
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.
Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.
Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.
ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302, MATH 1332 or MATH 1314, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course.
If SOCI 1301 is used to satisfy Component Area VIII, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours.
If SOCI 2319 is used to partially satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture), elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours.
A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
Graduates of the BS in Sociology develop a future-ready skill set that translates across industries and professional fields. Employers consistently identify these competencies as critical in today’s workforce:
- Analytical problem solving and data-driven decision making that transform complex information into actionable insights.
- Effective communication and intercultural fluency, with the ability to engage effectively across audiences and professional contexts.
- Collaboration and leadership skills for thriving in cross-functional teams and navigating fast-changing workplace dynamics.
- Systems thinking: evaluating how cultural, political, and economic structures shape opportunity, innovation, and responsibility.
- Social impact and community engagement, translating knowledge into strategies that drive meaningful change.
Career Paths Include
Graduates in sociology pursue careers across sectors where analytical insight, intercultural fluency, and leadership are valued. Examples include:
- Nonprofit leadership & advocacy — advancing social change, fundraising, policy initiatives, and program management.
- Market research, consumer insights & data analysis — transforming data into strategy for businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies.
- Government, policy & legal professions — public administration, policy analysis, law, and court system roles.
- Case management, social services & child advocacy — supporting individuals and families through counseling, protective services, and community programs.
- Business, sales & organizational leadership — supervisory and client-facing roles in both private and public sectors.
- Human resources, talent development & public relations — workforce engagement, recruitment, organizational culture, and brand communication.
- Education, teaching & student support services — classroom instruction, college access programs, and educational leadership.
- Leadership — designing and implementing strategies for workplaces and institutions that foster belonging.
- Corporate social responsibility & social impact consulting — aligning business goals with community needs and sustainability.
